The comparison of the denominations of submarine features in different cartographic documents frequently reveals the use of different names for the same feature or even the same denomination for different features. Furthermore topographic forms frequently show an inadequate geomorphic classification. In the course of the establishment of the Legal Brazilian Continental Shelf it was decided to revise the whole nomenclature of the undersea topographic features of the Brazilian continental margin.

The Working Group (members above) created in 1998 to review the undersea feature names based the discussions on previous maps elaborated by K. Jinno which show the denominations according to three sources: the "Projeto de Reconhecimento da Margem Continental Brasileira" (REMAC - Brazilian Continental Margin Reconnaissance Project)

"Departamento Nacional da Produção Mineral" (DNPM - Brazilian geological survey), and the Naval Research Laboratory/Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation´s South Atlantic Ocean Bathymetric Map.

As already pointed out, the Working Group faced two types of problems. One was the use of more than one location name for the same feature, as Recife Plateau and Pernambuco Plateau. In cases like this, of a large geomorphologic feature, the denomination of the State was preferred, instead of the name of the State capital.

These and other geographic denominations were reserved for smaller features like canyons. The second problem was the inadequate geomorphic classification of features. The most widespread was the use of the term bank, that is applied in the nautical sense, i. e. considering only the aspect of water depth. The Abrolhos and Royal Charlotte banks actually are shelves. Other examples of wrong denominations are the terms bank and seamount for some "guyots".

The result of the discussions will be submitted to the Sub-committee on Undersea Features Names of the General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean (GEBCO) for approval.